How does bulimia affect behavior?

Answer 1

Bulimia Effects

* Circulatory Effects: Bulimia can cause a person to suffer from cardiac arrhythmias; the heart's electrical activity becomes irregular. The walls of the heart can rupture and lead to heart attacks. Additionally, ipecac abuse can lead to cardiomyopathy, or a diseased heart muscle. *

* Digestive Effects: Bingeing can swell the stomach, while purging can lead to swelling or rupture of the esophagus. *

* Muscular Effects: Proximal muscle atrophy and weakness from frequent vomiting; the potential to develop tetany from potassium irregularities. *

* Urinary Effects: Impaired kidney function *

* Nervous Effects: Central nervous system seizures. *

* Respiratory Effects: Bulimics can suffer pulmonary problems from inhaling stomach contents, as well as an uncommon condition called pneumomediastinum, when air escapes the lungs into the chest cavity. It can be recognized by what's called Hamman's crunch; a crunching sound is made with each cardiac cycle. *

Finally, bulimia can seriously impact one's mental health, leading to depression, isolation, suicide attempts, or substance abuse. Bulimia Effects should be taken very seriously as they can often be harmful to one's health and well being. source: http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/explain/bulimiaeffects.php

Answer 2

* Circulatory Effects: Bulimia can cause a person to suffer from cardiac arrhythmias; the heart's electrical activity becomes irregular. The walls of the heart can rupture and lead to heart attacks. Additionally, ipecac abuse can lead to cardiomyopathy, or a diseased heart muscle. *

* Digestive Effects: Bingeing can swell the stomach, while purging can lead to swelling or rupture of the esophagus. *

* Muscular Effects: Proximal muscle atrophy and weakness from frequent vomiting; the potential to develop tetany from potassium irregularities. *

* Urinary Effects: Impaired kidney function *

* Nervous Effects: Central nervous system seizures. *

* Respiratory Effects: Bulimics can suffer pulmonary problems from inhaling stomach contents, as well as an uncommon condition called pneumomediastinum, when air escapes the lungs into the chest cavity. It can be recognized by what's called Hamman's crunch; a crunching sound is made with each cardiac cycle. *

Finally, bulimia can seriously impact one's mental health, leading to depression, isolation, suicide attempts, or substance abuse. Bulimia Effects should be taken very seriously as they can often be harmful to one's health and well being.

Answer 3

Bulimia in a person would "affect" those around you who care or have professional concerns on your health, any serious disease puts stress on the whole family, not just the sufferer, & the stress to the family & close friends can affect the sufferer even more with symptoms of guilt for the empathy being shown, In my case, my whole Family pretty much disowned me, except my Father, it changes the Family Dynamic, & we are, mostly, creatures of habit, we dont enjoy adaptation, altho' we can be very efficient at it when we want, or need, to be

Answer 4

Well you might like being alone more because that way you can binge eat and purge without people noticing you, so you may ignore those around you and If you die or get cancer then it will dramatically effect them!

Answer 5

The effects of bulimia can cause immediate and lasting severe health consequences for those caught in this vicious cycle. Bulimia signs are earmarked by repeated uncontrollable urges to eat large amounts of food in a short period of time called binging. After binging, the bulimic often induces vomiting, uses laxatives, enemas, diuretics or diet pills to prevent weight gain. Some individuals purge themselves by maintaining strict diets between binges.

The signs of this disorder should not be confused with the signs of anorexia. Effects of bulimia can be as severe a health risk as anorexia but whereas bulimics binge on high calorie foods, the anorexic restricts food intake altogether. Individuals suffering from this disorder are plagued by the irresistible urges to binge on food with high calorie content such as ice cream, candy bars, cookies and pudding. A binge typically lasts about two hours and only stops when the bulimic gets a stomachache or feels sleepy.

This disorder can often lead to depression, guilt and shame. Individuals realize their behavior is abnormal and out of control. Bulimia signs are patterns of binging behavior and vary from person to person. Some bulimics binge several times a day for a few days, then not at all for a very long time. Other bulimia signs are more predictable patterns of behavior by binging and purging three times a week.

Although, there is no conclusive evidence linking bulimia to biological factors such as a brain chemical imbalance, the brain sends messages to turn off the desire to eat more after the individual has consumed an unusual amount of food. The effects of bulimia trick the brain into feeling satisfied, but in actuality, the person is in a food-deprived state. Some bulimics adopt this abnormal eating pattern for professional reasons.

Dancers, actors, models and athletes whose careers depend upon staying thin will purge themselves with laxatives or induce vomiting. One of the most famous bulimics in recent history was Princess Diana of England. The effects of bulimia lead her into a lifetime of misery and speculation in tabloid headlines and a lifelong obsession with the staying thin. Society plays a larger role to emphasize the ideal thin female form and greatly influences young women to obtain societies' expectations.

This disease is very destructive and will eventually take its toll on the body. Physical consequences of bulimia include broken blood vessels, dehydration, tremors, blurred vision, cramps, constipation, internal bleeding, infections, damage to the bowel, liver and kidney damage, loss of tooth enamel, or suicidal depression. The devastating effects of this disorder can be avoided through intervention, awareness and professional medical treatment. Prayer for healing and strength to fight this battle is also very important. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). The individual, relatives, and friends must aware of bulimia signs and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

The frequent vomiting and nutritional deficiencies that often accompany eating disorders can have severe consequences on one's oral health. Studies have found that up to 89% of bulimic patients show signs of tooth erosion.

Surprisingly enough,it is often the pain and discomfort related to dental complications that first causes patients to consult with a health professional. Dental hygienists and dentists are often the first health professionals to observe signs and symptoms of disordered eating habits.

However, recent studies cite two deterrents to dental practitioners addressing eating concerns with their patients:

Lack of knowledge of the scope and severity of eating disorders, and
Lack of comfort in discussing their concerns or suspicions.
In spite of these deterrents, the role of dental practitioners in early detection, identification, and intervention is crucial.

Signs and Symptoms

Loss of tissue and erosive lesions on the surface of teeth due to the effects of acid. These lesions can appear as early as 6 months from the start of the problem.
Changes in the color, shape, and length of teeth. Teeth can become brittle, translucent, and weak.
Increased sensitivity to temperature. In extreme cases the pulp can be exposed and cause infection, discoloration, or even pulp death.
Enlargement of the salivary glands, dry mouth, and reddened, dry, cracked lips.
Tooth decay, which can actually be aggravated by extensive tooth brushing or rinsing following vomiting.
Unprovoked, spontaneous pain within a particular tooth.
Changes in the mouth are often the first physical signs of an eating disorder.

stomach acid is really powerful stuff, you can make it into a really powerful rocket fuel.

Physical and psychological effects The effects of eating disorders on a person's physical and emotional well-being can be devastating, and in some cases, deadly. Skaters should note that this also means their performance on the ice will be adversely affected, perhaps to the point where they will never be able to skate again. Plain and simple: it's just not worth it.

Food restrictionRestrictive or erratic eating patterns can cause more than just weight loss. Metabolic difficulties are almost certain, even if weight loss is NOT dramatic. Blood pressure and heart rate will fall, setting a person up for heart or kidney failure. The person may experience dizzy or fainting spells, and because they have little insulation and/or poor circulation, will constantly feel cold. Hair on the head begins to fall out while more hair grows on the rest of the body (called lanugo).

In females, the menstrual cycle may cease due to plummeting estrogen levels. This may later lead to osteoporosis (which is irreversible). Without menstrual periods, women are also at a greater risk of developing ovarian cysts or other problems with the reproductive system; perhaps even to the point of never being able to have children.

Especially if a person does not get enough the proper nutrition, many other serious consequences may result. Lack of fat in the diet means that the body cannot absorb certain vitamins, and depending on what foods are being cut out of a person's diet, they may not even be getting all of the vitamins and minerals they need to begin with.

Forced vomitingForced vomiting causes electrolyte imbalances, which can easily lead to life-threatening heart-related problems. The acid in vomit can cause the enamel of teeth to wear down, That same acid also eats away at the lining of the esophagus and may cause gastric rupture. In other words, immediate death.

Many patients who frequently force themselves to vomit after meals may be unable to eat without a gag reflex. G.E.R.D., or Gastro-Esophogal Reflux Disease, is another potential consequence of frequent purging. Vomiting can also cause severe dehydration, leading to abnormally low blood pressure and increased risk of fainting.

Syrup of ipecac, a drug sometimes used to induce vomiting in emergency situations, is sometimes abused by eating disorder patients. This is perhaps one of the most dangerous methods of all. Ipecac is a POISON, and may cause permanent damage to the heart or other organs. Karen Carpenter died, WHILE IN RECOVERY, from complications related to her past use of ipecac syrup.

Other "purging" methodsDiuretics, or water pills, can easily cause electrolyte imbalances much in the same way as forced vomiting, and the risk of dehydration and kidney damage is even greater. Laxative abuse also causes dehydration, and may also cause permanent damage to the bowels. A person may actually become dependent on laxatives if they abuse them for a long period of time. Not only are the stimulants addicting, but soon the bowels will not be able to move without them.

The worst part about laxatives and diuretics is that they do not even really cause weight loss... all you are losing is water weight, which is quickly regained (and then some). Incidentally, the body's metabolism decreases when it is dehydrated... so I hope this shows just how REALLY "not worth it" diuretics and laxatives are.

Even "compulsive exercisers" are not off the hook. Excessive exercise may take its toll on a person's body as well, particularly if the person is already malnourished. Stress fractures are very common in people with eating disorders because the danger of osteoporosis is heightened by malnutrition.

Binge eatingBinge eating itself, without the terrible compensatory methods, can also do damage. Large binges can cause the stomach to stretch, possibly even to the point of literally bursting. Chronic binge eating may also lead to weight gain, regardless of whether or not these binges are "compensated" for.

Some people with binge eating disorder may even become obese, and develop many of the problems which acompany obesity, including high blood pressure, Diabetes, menstrual troubles, cardiovascular disease, sleeping disturbances such as sleep apnea, and Arthritis.

Psychological and psychosocial effectsThe psychological effects of eating disorders are nearly as devastating as the physical ones. The very nature of eating disorders demand that the behaviors be carried out in secret. Thus the person with an ED becomes more withdrawn and avoidant of social situations, particularly those that involve food. Lack of social interaction, coupled with poor nutrition, can not only exacerbate pre-existing depression and anxiety, but they can also cause it in individuals who previously had no such problems. "Meaningful relationships and eating disorders are mutually exclusive," says one of my friends. And she is absolutely right.